One of the most common classes of Scottish surnames is the patronymic surname, which arose out of the vernacular and religious naming traditions. The vernacular or regional naming tradition is the oldest and most pervasive type of patronymic surname. According to this custom, names were originally composed of vocabulary elements from the local language. Patronymic surnames of this type were usually derived from the personal name of the original bearer's father. The surname Watt is derived from from the personal name Walter, meaning strong warrior.

Watt Early Origins

The surname Watt was first found in Worcestershire. They held a family seat here from early times, and were descended from Simon Wathes, a soldier of fortune, who accompanied King Stephen into England in the year 1135. John Wathes was Lord of the manor of Eston in that county in 1347. His son, William Wathes, was father of Simon Wattys. Sir Richard Wattys, his son, fought under the banner of York at the Battle of Wakefield where he died leaving Thomas Wattys the manor of Whitefield in Northampton.

Watt Spelling Variations

Watt Spelling Variations

Scottish surnames are distinguished by a multitude of spelling variations because, over the centuries, the names were frequently translated into and from Gaeli c. Furthermore, the spelling of surnames was rarely consistent because medieval scribes and church officials recorded names as they sounded, rather than adhering to any specific spelling rules. The different versions of a surname, such as the inclusion of the patronymic prefix "Mac", frequently indicated a religious or Clan affiliation or even a division of the family. Moreover, a large number of foreign names were brought into Scotland, accelerating accentuating the alterations to various surnames. The name Watt has also been spelled Watts, Wathes, Wattys, Wath, Watt and others.

Watt Early History

Watt Early History

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Watt research. Another 436 words (31 lines of text) covering the years 1446, 1511, 1586, 1596, 1609, 1615, 1663, and 1796 are included under the topic Early Watt History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Watt Early Notables (pre 1700)

Watt Early Notables (pre 1700)

More information is included under the topic Early Watt Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Watt In Ireland

Watt In Ireland

Some of the Watt family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. Another 91 words (6 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

The Great Migration

The Great Migration

Some of the first immigrants to cross the Atlantic and come to North America carried the name Watt, or a variant listed above:

Mr. John Watt U.E. who settled in Didgequash, Charlotte County, New Brunswick c. 1784 he is listed with the Loyalists and Disbanded Soldiers whose names appear as Passamaquoddy New Brunswick Loyalists, he served in the 74th Regiment [1]CITATION[CLOSE]Rubincam, Milton. The Old United Empire Loyalists List. Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc, 1976. (Originally published as; United Empire Loyalists. The Centennial of the Settlement of Upper Canada. Rose Publishing Company, 1885.) ISBN 0-8063-0331-X

Mr. Robert Watt U.E. who settled in Charlotte County, New Brunswick c. 1784 he is listed with the Loyalists and Disbanded Soldiers whose names appear as Passamaquoddy New Brunswick Loyalists [1]CITATION[CLOSE]Rubincam, Milton. The Old United Empire Loyalists List. Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc, 1976. (Originally published as; United Empire Loyalists. The Centennial of the Settlement of Upper Canada. Rose Publishing Company, 1885.) ISBN 0-8063-0331-X

Watt Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

Alexander Watt, who landed in Canada in 1820

Catharine Watt, aged 3, arrived in Quebec in 1821

George Watt, aged 40, landed in Quebec in 1821

Janet Watt, aged 10, arrived in Quebec in 1821

John Watt, aged 20, a farmer, arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship "Protector" in 1834

William Montgomery Watt (1909-2006), Scottish historian, an Emeritus Professor in Arabic and Islamic Studies at the University of Edinburgh

James Watt FRS, FRSE (1736-1819), Scottish inventor and mechanical engineer who made major improvements to the steam engine, developed the concept of horsepower and the SI unit of power, eponym of the watt, a derived unit of power

Watt Historic Events

Watt Historic Events

Mr. Robert A E Watt (b. 1919), English Steward serving for the Royal Navy from Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Northumberland, England, who sailed into battle on the HMS Hood and died on 24th May 1941 in the sinking

Mr. Charles J J Watt (b. 1920), English Stoker 1st Class serving for the Royal Navy from Grimsby, Lincolnshire, England, who sailed into battle on the HMS Hood and died on 24th May 1941 in the sinking

Suggested Readings for the name Watt

Suggested Readings for the name Watt

Some Descendants of John Watts of Virginia by Soule J. Watt.

Motto

Motto

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

The Watt Family Crest was acquired from the Houseofnames.com archives. The Watt Family Crest was drawn according to heraldic standards based on published blazons. We generally include the oldest published family crest once associated with each surname.